Concentric is shells for compressed gas storage

Abstract

Gas containment vessels are provided that are comprised of an inner corrosion resistant shell made of lower strength steel alloy or aluminum alloy or thermoplastic polymer, and an outer concentric shell constructed of high strength, albeit lower corrosion resistant, metal or fiber-reinforced composite. The fiber can comprise filaments derived from basaltic rocks, the filaments having been immersed in a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer matrix, and comingled with carbon, glass or aramid fibers such that there is load sharing between the basaltic fibers and carbon, glass or aramid fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A high pressure gas storage vessel, comprising:
 an inner shell made of corrosion-resistant, low strength alloy steel or aluminum alloy having approximately 700 MPa tensile strength; and 
 a concentric outer shell reinforced with filaments derived from basaltic rocks, the filaments having been immersed in a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer matrix, and comingled with carbon, glass or aramid fibers such that there is load sharing between the filaments and carbon, glass or aramid fibers; 
 wherein the filaments are made from molten basaltic rock, and have tensile strength of 2,900-3,200 MPa, and tensile modulus of 85-95 GPa, and specific gravity of 2.67 gm/cc. 
 
     
     
       2. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the filaments have a diameter of 5-30 microns. 
     
     
       3. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of thermosetting polymers such as epoxy and vinyl ester, and thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. 
     
     
       4. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell has a straight cylindrical portion and opposite dome portions, and wherein the filaments are wound over the straight cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       5. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the filaments are wound over the entire inner shell. 
     
     
       6. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell comprises 4130 alloy steel. 
     
     
       7. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell comprises 6061 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
       8. A high pressure gas storage vessel, comprising:
 an inner shell made of corrosion-resistant thermoplastic material; and 
 a concentric outer shell reinforced with filaments derived from basaltic rocks, the filaments having been immersed in a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer matrix, and comingled with carbon, glass or aramid fibers such that there is load sharing between the filaments and carbon, glass or aramid fibers; 
 wherein the filaments are made from molten basaltic rock, and have tensile strength of 2,900-3,200 MPa, and tensile modulus of 85-95 GPa, and specific gravity of 2.67 gm/cc. 
 
     
     
       9. The vessel of  claim 8 , wherein the filaments have a diameter of 5-30 microns. 
     
     
       10. The vessel of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of thermosetting polymers such as epoxy and vinyl ester, and thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. 
     
     
       11. The vessel of  claim 8 , wherein the inner shell has a straight cylindrical portion and opposite dome portions, and wherein the filaments are wound over the straight cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       12. The vessel of  claim 8 , wherein the filaments are wound over the entire inner shell.